Image technical evaluation

entire length of the sternum can be seen in profile; the image is exposed enough that it is possible to trace the bony cortex the whole way around.

Practical points

The patient may be in a lot of pain due to the mechanism of the injury (normally blunt force). So be sure to only ask the patient to do what is within their abilities, some may not be able to push their chest out to get the sternum in profile, and in these situations, collimation will be key to avoiding scatter.

It is not uncommon to use an aluminium filter over the anterior portion of the sternum to aid scatter reduction; this is normally the case for larger patients.

This image can be done supine with a horizontal beam using the same principles.